More In Your Life

Wrestling: NJSIAA looking into changing venue for state wrestling tourney

Photo by Daniel Freel/New Jersey Herald — The crowd cheers during the semifinal matches of the NJSIAA wrestling tournament in March at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City. The NJSIAA is looking into moving the tournament venue.

The goal for every wrestler in New Jersey is to medal in the state individual wrestling tournament at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City.

That dream of standing on the podium might have a different setting next year. Steve Timko, the executive director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, confirmed on Tuesday the organization is looking into moving the event from Boardwalk Hall to a cheaper venue. As news of the NJSIAA's search for a possible new venue reached area coaches, they weren't shy to put in some input on the matter, with the most important one being about the grapplers.

"As long as they can showcase the kids," Kittatinny coach John Gill said. "You want it to be a good venue where you can see your 16-, 17-, 18-year-old child wrestle in the states."

Boardwalk Hall has hosted the state tournament every year since 1992 except for a three-year stretch from 1998-2001 when it was held at the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Izod Center — at the time called Continental Airlines Arena — in East Rutherford. Boardwalk Hall was being renovated during those years.

The NJSIAA's five-year contract with Boardwalk Hall ended in March, prompting a search for a location that can hold an event that draws more than 40,000 people during its three days at the arena. More importantly, it is looking for a place to help the organization make a profit. The NJSIAA lost $18,000 this year on wrestling.

"One of the things that we're doing is because of financial constraints, I think it's important that we be as financially prudent as we possibly can," Timko said. "So, we're going to do a ‘Request for Proposals' form to see if there is something that might be more beneficial to the NJSIAA. There may be, there may not be, but I think it's come upon me as executive director to see what other options are out there."

The state tournament at Boardwalk Hall raked in $130,000 for the NJSIAA, but the district and regional competitions put the organization in the red after costing it $148,000. Timko said 27 of the 32 district sites and three of the eight region sites lost money. In regards to the area, District 3 and Region 1 made money for the NJSIAA, Timko said.

The NJSIAA had to pay an $80,000 rental fee to Boardwalk Hall to use the arena. So to cover the cost and make a profit there, the NJSIAA got permission from the state Department of Education to charge $10 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens for tickets with a $1 facility fee going to Boardwalk Hall.

"This year, the ticket prices were $10 and $2, which meant the NJSIAA got $9 and $1 for tickets that were sold," Timko said. "We made $32,000 less this year than last year on the facility fee and ticket prices alone, and our expenses keep going up. Those are the reasons why the NJSIAA has to look at all alternatives before we commit to a site."

If the NJSIAA does move from Boardwalk Hall, some coaches like Newton's Eric Bollette believe the change could help a lot of schools, parents and kids save money.

"It's a great facility, but it's a long ride there, it's expensive," Bollette said, "and really when you think of the areas in the state, it's not close to anybody."

Some venues that might be realistically large enough to hold the wrestling tournament are the Izod Center, the Prudential Center in Newark and the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. Some people have suggested universities like Rutgers, Rider or possibly back at Princeton, where the tournament was held prior to 1992, but those places might not have the space or accommodations.

"They have to have eight mats (for this new place)," Bollette said. "Rutgers is the biggest college, but it can't hold it. Rider, no way. TCNJ, forget it. I don't think Princeton can hold it unless they bring the seats in, but I don't know if they have the desire to hold it again."

But if the NJSIAA decides to move the state tournament, its focus should not be solely on the dollar amount.

"They should keep the kids, fans and parents No. 1 in their thoughts," Gill said. "To have a good arena with no parking and no hotels makes absolutely no sense. It's got to be a balance. Obviously, the NJSIAA is looking at the costs. But the venue has to be right for the kids."

In Case You Missed It

In 1881, five short line regional railroads combined with the New Jersey Midland Railroad to form the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway. This new line played an important role in hauling coal out of Pennsylvania to the greater New York metropolitan